Marketing programs?

[Arizona Knight Wolf]

I have recieved a lot of emails or spam from Therapists selling marketing programs.  Ranging anywhere from $79 to $200-300.  Has anyone purchased a program like this?  If so, do they work?  I am asking because, I feel like I am not sure how to market myself anymore.  When I started in this business 4 years ago, I lived in an area that was just starting to grow.  I was one of the few therapists in the area.   I was very creative at Marketing myself,did a lot of networking and built myself a nice business. Now there is a Day Spa on every corner and tons of Chiropractors.  Massage schools are advertising on every channel.  Schools are graduating 100's of new therapist every month here is Arizona.  There is a lot more competition.  Not only that, but some of the Day spas here are advertising a swedish massage for $39.00!  To the general public, with little experience receiving massage therapy, they will not understand why I charge $60 and they do it for $39.00.   So, It's getting harder and harder to get new clients in the door.  Any suggestions?Sandy

 

[Jose Pepito]

I signed up for the Fill your Practice 101 course from bodyworkbiz.com and am very pleased thus far.  It costs $99 and you receive a daily email for 101 (business) days.   I like the structure, straightforwardness and business perspectives that Eric Brown shares.   If you go to his website you can sign up for free marketing newsletters for yourself and get more information on his e-courses.

 

[knowledge_dispenser]

Marketing programs?

I agree with mtnmassage -- Eric Brown's programs are quite good. He's straightforward and has some wonderful, simple ideas and suggestions.The webiste url is http://www.bodyworkbiz.com

 

[Ablebaby]

Thank you for your input.  I will be looking into this program.  Sandy O.

 

[ms manners]

I really like his program as well.  The info is really great....very simple stuff and straight forward.  

 

[Rahrah]

I must just be in a bad area for massage or something because I too purchased Fill Your Practice almost a year ago and I tried several of the tips and I have had very little success.  Right now I'm doing a promo for gift certificates, buy 3 get 1 free and I only had 1 person take advaneforum.xxxe, and they were for half hour massages.  I'm going to re-read everything and see what I'm doing wrong but it is becoming increasingly frustrating, especially with January right around the corner and I know that's the slow time for everyone...

 

[AF.Colonel]

Marketing programs?

Anyone bought Eric Brown's 260 tips? I am half way thru the Fill your practice course and have found it really helpful (just starting my practice so too soon to tell if it works). Rgds, Annette

 

[Raider3]

here's a question for those of you who have purchased any of eric brown's practice building material....do you only go day by day or do you look thru the material as you need it?  does that make sense? he sends stuff every day but you can just go online and check it out anytime....and look at any day, not just the day that you are on...do most of you not look ahead?just curious.....

 

[Now Now]

I did the Fill Your Practice last year and am working on 260 tips right now.  For Fill Your Practice, I printed out the lessons and keep them in a notebook with the index in the front and so I can get to something pretty easily if I want to.  I read them as they came in and used them as they appealed to me or my situation warranted.  I have been a little more lazy with 260 tips.  I have them in a folder in my inbox and have only gotten part of them printed.  I have found some tips that didn't really apply to my business and some of them have been really helpful.  It's always good  to see someone else's perspective on things and how just tweaking something a little bit might make all the difference in the world.  The other thing that I have gotten out of it, is trying something is better than not trying anything at all.  It might not always work out how you pictured it in your head, but at least it's better than sitting there waiting for the phone to ring.  I opened a private practice as soon as I got out of school and the lessons  have helped me to start building a clientele.  Hope this helps a little.  By the way, I think that I saw on Eric's website that 260 Tips was being offered for $39.00 until December 28th.  It's a great buy for that price.  It's a lot of information directed at our profession specifically.   Lisa

 

[parijatha]

Hi Sandy,I've been a massage therapist for 12 years and massage therapy center owner for 6 years.  What has happened over the past 4 years in the U.S. has been a major economic slump.  Don't worry, the worst is over now and things are starting back on the upswing.  Keep doing your marketing and networking efforts.I can recommend a few free marketing resources that you are welcome to check out.  Both can be found at http://www.helpyourpractice.com. we do a free monthly marketing newsletter.  Second, we just released a new 5 day marketing course for massage therapists.  Both of these are free to sign up and receive.                        Best of luck,                             Michael HumphreysNeed more massage or fitness clients?Sign up for our free monthly newsletter at http://www.helpyourpractice.com

 

[Andrew M]

I started off reading the emails daily but then life took over and now I usually end up printing a week's worth of emails and then filing them in a large binder.   I bought sheet protectors for the pages (OK, I'm a little compulsive   ).   When the kids are sleeping I pull out the binder and read thru the pages.   My plan is to incorporate many of Eric's suggestions when I open up my own practice in VT this Spring/Summer.     The office where I work gave away 1/2 hr massages during our holiday open house and every person who has come in to redeem them has chosen to upgrade to the hour for $20 and most of these people are new clients (I made this suggestion to the owner as a result of reading about it in the Fill Your Practice course).    As stated earlier, the best part of the course is the "Just Do It" philosophy.  Happy 2005!